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NewsCalMattersOctober 24, 2026Los Angeles County

State Oversight Board Faults Permit Renewal for Los Angeles Electronic Waste Facility

Photo: CalMatters

A California environmental oversight board has faulted state regulators for how they renewed an operating permit for an electronic waste processor in Los Angeles County, ordering regulators to re-examine parts of the decision while allowing the facility to continue operating. The decision came in response to appeals from both community residents and the company, Phibro-Tech, which has faced dozens of recorded violations over the past decade.

EnvironmentPublic HealthState RegulationWaste Management
Read the full story at CalMatters

Why It Matters

Residents living as close as 550 feet from the Phibro-Tech facility remain impacted by its operations while state regulators re-evaluate a permit that was renewed last year for the first time since 1996.

Key Facts

  • The Board of Environmental Safety granted appeals from both community members and Phibro-Tech regarding an electronic waste facility permit.
  • The board faulted the Department of Toxic Substances Control for issuing an incomplete public record and failing to fully review the company's compliance history.
  • The board stopped short of revoking the permit, allowing Phibro-Tech to continue operating while state regulators reassess the permit.
  • The board agreed with Phibro-Tech that regulators failed to adequately explain why the permit was issued for five years instead of 10 and ordered the removal of inapplicable waste-treatment rules.
  • The Department of Toxic Substances Control recorded 29 violations at Phibro-Tech between 2013 and 2022.
  • The state is currently suing Phibro-Tech over alleged violations of hazardous waste laws.
  • Phibro-Tech operated for nearly 30 years on a permit that originally expired in 1996 before regulators renewed it last year.
  • A week before the hearing, Phibro-Tech and state regulators settled an issue regarding tank certifications, extending them from three years to five years.
  • The Board of Environmental Safety has 30 days to finalize its written decision.

Who's Mentioned

locationLos Nietos“Neighborhood near the Phibro-Tech facility where residents live.”PersonAndrew Rakestraw“Chair of the Board of Environmental Safety.”OrganizationDepartment of Toxic Substances Control“State agency responsible for hazardous waste management and permit renewals.”PersonGreg Forest“Attorney for the Board of Environmental Safety.”PersonByron Chan“Earthjustice attorney.”OrganizationBoard of Environmental Safety“State oversight board that reviewed appeals regarding the permit decision.”locationLos Angeles County“Location of the Phibro-Tech electronic waste processing facility.”PersonRhys Williams“Board member of the Board of Environmental Safety.”PersonJordan Salcido“Resident living near the facility.”PersonWayne Lorentzen“Head of the Department of Toxic Substances Control's permitting division.”OrganizationPhibro-Tech“Electronic waste processor operating in Los Angeles County.”OrganizationNeighbors Against Phibro-Tech“Community group challenging the permit renewal.”OrganizationEarthjustice“Environmental law organization representing community residents.”PersonMandi Bane“Deputy director at the Department of Toxic Substances Control.”locationCalifornia“State where the regulatory agencies and facility operate.”PersonRobert Martin“Attorney for Phibro-Tech.”PersonEsme Levy“Earthjustice attorney representing the community group.”